The use of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to alleviate the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of strawberry under salt stress

Salinity is a major abiotic stressor that impedes plant growth and negatively affects crop yield. However, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can establish a symbiotic relationship with over 80% of terrestrial plant roots. This relationship ultimately results in increased plant growth, improved plant stress resistance, and, consequently, a promising agricultural production and environmental protection solution. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the photosynthetic physiology of strawberries under salinity stress. The greenhouse experiment involved the strawberry cultivar ‘Benihoppe’, which was inoculated with Glomus mosseae under three salt stress levels (0 mM, 30 mM, and 60 mM). Subsequently, the results showed that salinity stress led to a significant decline in leaf area, fresh biomass, and photosynthetic characteristics of the strawberries. Under salt stress, especially at the concentration of 60 mM. Pn, Gs, Tr, Ci, Fv/Fm, and NPQ showed significant differences. After inoculation of AMF, arbuscular mycorrhiza established a beneficial symbiotic relationship with strawberry roots, which effectively reduced salt damage and promoted the growth of strawberry plants. Leaf area, fresh biomass, and relative chlorophyll content were significantly increased. Pn, Tr, and Gs of mycorrhizal strawberry were significantly higher than those of control group. In addition, the light energy conversion efficiency of strawberry plants inoculated with AMF was improved, thus increasing the potential photosynthetic capacity and photosynthetic rate of strawberry.